Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
@ablarcomrd.bsky.social
PhD RD (thesis focused on UPF and eating behaviors), currently in clinical practice, seeking a role supporting high quality research; Gator track alum, CrossFit coach, Florida native trying to survive Boston winters.
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
One of my favorite things about science is how many unique and different things researchers study. I’d love to read the grant proposal for this project.
Food-snatching seagulls are more likely to leave you alone if you shout at them, researchers say
Food-snatching seagulls are more likely to leave you alone if you shout at them, researchers say
Sweet talk won’t get you far if you want to scare off a seagull trying to snatch your food. Try shouting.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 14, 2025 at 4:08 PM
One of my favorite things about science is how many unique and different things researchers study. I’d love to read the grant proposal for this project.
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
Everyone across biomedicine should be very loud about this so this team's RIF status gets reversed. Nhanes has been key for tracking obesity & diabetes rates, identifying high blood lead levels in kids in the 70s, tracking progress on cholesterol lowering, guiding nutrient fortification programs etc
October 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Everyone across biomedicine should be very loud about this so this team's RIF status gets reversed. Nhanes has been key for tracking obesity & diabetes rates, identifying high blood lead levels in kids in the 70s, tracking progress on cholesterol lowering, guiding nutrient fortification programs etc
This was $3 well spent.
You asked for it! We delivered Quack-O-Grams to our members of Congress urging them to #ImpeachRFK, and get that Quack out of office!
There's still time for you to get in on this fluffy, feathery action: Send your own duck at zurl.co/W1ZnB and keep the momentum going! 🦆
There's still time for you to get in on this fluffy, feathery action: Send your own duck at zurl.co/W1ZnB and keep the momentum going! 🦆
September 17, 2025 at 10:57 PM
This was $3 well spent.
This headline is misleading for several reasons.
1. Blue states aren’t picking a fight with RFK, he picked a fight with decades of established medical science and Blue states are doing their best to ensure as many people as possible have access to evidence-based medicine. 1/
1. Blue states aren’t picking a fight with RFK, he picked a fight with decades of established medical science and Blue states are doing their best to ensure as many people as possible have access to evidence-based medicine. 1/
Blue states are quickly moving to defy RFK Jr.'s vaccine restrictions — increasing the likelihood of a patchwork of conflicting policies across the country. But a state-by-state approach could prove inadequate in a major health crisis.
Axios AM - 💉 Blue states pick fight with RFK Jr.
www.axios.com
September 5, 2025 at 11:28 AM
This headline is misleading for several reasons.
1. Blue states aren’t picking a fight with RFK, he picked a fight with decades of established medical science and Blue states are doing their best to ensure as many people as possible have access to evidence-based medicine. 1/
1. Blue states aren’t picking a fight with RFK, he picked a fight with decades of established medical science and Blue states are doing their best to ensure as many people as possible have access to evidence-based medicine. 1/
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
🚨 It’s the 20th anniversary of Katrina + FEMA workers are warning us: cuts + censorship are gutting the agency meant to keep us safe. Delayed disaster response = lives at risk. Sign the Katrina Declaration + demand Congress protect FEMA. 👉 www.standupforscience.net/fema-katrina-declaration
August 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
🚨 It’s the 20th anniversary of Katrina + FEMA workers are warning us: cuts + censorship are gutting the agency meant to keep us safe. Delayed disaster response = lives at risk. Sign the Katrina Declaration + demand Congress protect FEMA. 👉 www.standupforscience.net/fema-katrina-declaration
I can’t think of anything more wasteful than spending valuable research $$$ developing treatments for a disease that was eradicated over a decade ago instead of studying treatments/cures for the many diseases that don’t already have a wildly successful vaccine.
Measles was eradicated with the vaccine, which is 97% effective at preventing measles.
Antivaxxers are the ones keeping people sick for profit.
Antivaxxers are the ones keeping people sick for profit.
As the US hits a 33-year high in measles infections, there is now a "race" to find a treatment for the disease.
One pharma company "is banking on a continuing decline in vaccination rates to fuel a need for measles treatments—and in turn, more investor interest"
🎁 link
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
One pharma company "is banking on a continuing decline in vaccination rates to fuel a need for measles treatments—and in turn, more investor interest"
🎁 link
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
August 8, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I can’t think of anything more wasteful than spending valuable research $$$ developing treatments for a disease that was eradicated over a decade ago instead of studying treatments/cures for the many diseases that don’t already have a wildly successful vaccine.
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
14 GOP senators are urging the Trump admin to release stalled NIH funds, warning that delays could shut down life-saving research, cost jobs, and erode public trust in science.
On the line? Real people, real cures, real consequences.
zurl.co/TlewL
On the line? Real people, real cures, real consequences.
zurl.co/TlewL
14 Republican senators urge White House to release delayed NIH funds
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) is leading the letter making the ask of OMB director Russ Vought.
zurl.co
July 28, 2025 at 10:21 PM
14 GOP senators are urging the Trump admin to release stalled NIH funds, warning that delays could shut down life-saving research, cost jobs, and erode public trust in science.
On the line? Real people, real cures, real consequences.
zurl.co/TlewL
On the line? Real people, real cures, real consequences.
zurl.co/TlewL
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
This is the kind of wedge issue that can provide an off ramp from Trumpism.
A *true* conservative is going to hate this for several reasons:
1. Bloated govt spending
2. Unlawful, unjustified stoppage of an evidence-based program for families.
3. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
A *true* conservative is going to hate this for several reasons:
1. Bloated govt spending
2. Unlawful, unjustified stoppage of an evidence-based program for families.
3. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
July 27, 2025 at 12:20 PM
This is the kind of wedge issue that can provide an off ramp from Trumpism.
A *true* conservative is going to hate this for several reasons:
1. Bloated govt spending
2. Unlawful, unjustified stoppage of an evidence-based program for families.
3. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
A *true* conservative is going to hate this for several reasons:
1. Bloated govt spending
2. Unlawful, unjustified stoppage of an evidence-based program for families.
3. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
As a longtime public health reporter covering the rise of anti-vaccine groups, I have seen them use personal stories to raise doubts about vaccines.
Today I saw immunization advocates push back by highlighting the stories of the toll of vaccine-preventable illness. A thread:
Today I saw immunization advocates push back by highlighting the stories of the toll of vaccine-preventable illness. A thread:
July 15, 2025 at 7:35 PM
As a longtime public health reporter covering the rise of anti-vaccine groups, I have seen them use personal stories to raise doubts about vaccines.
Today I saw immunization advocates push back by highlighting the stories of the toll of vaccine-preventable illness. A thread:
Today I saw immunization advocates push back by highlighting the stories of the toll of vaccine-preventable illness. A thread:
It cost $165 for a new US passport. That is not an insignificant amount of money for a lot of people and shouldn’t be required to live your life unmolested by law enforcement within the borders of your own country.
So now, all men of Hispanic descent must bring their passports to work?
One of the plaintiffs is a U.S. citizen working at a car wash that has been raided by Border Patrol multiple times. He gave them his ID but they demanded a passport.
Because he didn’t have one, they detained him and drove him to a different location to check his status.
Because he didn’t have one, they detained him and drove him to a different location to check his status.
July 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM
It cost $165 for a new US passport. That is not an insignificant amount of money for a lot of people and shouldn’t be required to live your life unmolested by law enforcement within the borders of your own country.
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
The Big Beautiful Bill is not just impacting nutrition thru SNAP cuts. Medicaid direct certification allows children from families receiving Medicaid to be autoenrolled in free school meals, allowing caregivers to avoid having to apply- a major barrier and cause of eligible students missing out.
July 1, 2025 at 11:56 PM
The Big Beautiful Bill is not just impacting nutrition thru SNAP cuts. Medicaid direct certification allows children from families receiving Medicaid to be autoenrolled in free school meals, allowing caregivers to avoid having to apply- a major barrier and cause of eligible students missing out.
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
Kinda hard to not get political when politics is currently trying their damnedest to destroy public health in this country for generations
June 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Kinda hard to not get political when politics is currently trying their damnedest to destroy public health in this country for generations
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
My comments with Bundle www.bundle.app/en/finance/m...
June 10, 2025 at 10:31 AM
My comments with Bundle www.bundle.app/en/finance/m...
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
@standupforscience.bsky.social supported more than 300 staff at NIH to release a statement urging Director Jayanta Bhattacharya to reject policies that undermine the NIH mission.
AAI members can sign an open letter, publicly or anonymously, supporting this statement: ow.ly/Ckwe50W6u6g%...
AAI members can sign an open letter, publicly or anonymously, supporting this statement: ow.ly/Ckwe50W6u6g%...
Bethesda Declaration — STAND UP FOR SCIENCE
Support NIH Staff Now!
https://ow.ly/Ckwe50W6u6g
June 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
@standupforscience.bsky.social supported more than 300 staff at NIH to release a statement urging Director Jayanta Bhattacharya to reject policies that undermine the NIH mission.
AAI members can sign an open letter, publicly or anonymously, supporting this statement: ow.ly/Ckwe50W6u6g%...
AAI members can sign an open letter, publicly or anonymously, supporting this statement: ow.ly/Ckwe50W6u6g%...
Sounds efficient.
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has opened up 73 jobs to internal candidates. They include roles just vacated by people who are receiving full pay and benefits through September.
After paying people to leave, one federal agency is scrambling to fill positions
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has opened up 73 jobs to internal candidates. They include roles just vacated by people who are receiving full pay and benefits through September.
www.npr.org
May 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Sounds efficient.
I wonder how many people realize Medicaid is helping pay for their elderly relative’s nursing home care.
More than 72 million Americans rely on Medicaid for health care coverage — that’s 1 in 5 people in this country.
And 41% of ALL births care covered by Medicaid.
Republicans want women pregnant with no access to maternity care.
#HandsOffOurMedicaid
And 41% of ALL births care covered by Medicaid.
Republicans want women pregnant with no access to maternity care.
#HandsOffOurMedicaid
April 28, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I wonder how many people realize Medicaid is helping pay for their elderly relative’s nursing home care.
It won’t necessarily even cover the co-pay/out of pocket costs for the birth/baby’s hospital stay.
$5,000 won’t cover paid leave, child care, and the cost of raising a child.
Families deserve better than Trump's gimmicks.
Here's what actually works ⬇️
Families deserve better than Trump's gimmicks.
Here's what actually works ⬇️
April 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
It won’t necessarily even cover the co-pay/out of pocket costs for the birth/baby’s hospital stay.
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
Lots of terrible science news these days but I’m going to take a moment to celebrate some good (personal) news: today I successfully defended my dissertation. Excited for whatever is next (hopefully a clinical research role).
March 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Lots of terrible science news these days but I’m going to take a moment to celebrate some good (personal) news: today I successfully defended my dissertation. Excited for whatever is next (hopefully a clinical research role).
If we’re trying to make our government profitable, shouldn’t we… at least not close a profitable agency?
In fiscal year 2024, the report found, NIH awarded more than $36.9 billion to researchers, supporting more than 408,000 jobs and generating over $94.5 billion in new economic activity nationwide.
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
NIH funding delivers exponential economic returns — Harvard Gazette
Report finds all 50 states reap gains in patient health, job creation, research resources, business development.
news.harvard.edu
March 13, 2025 at 12:15 PM
If we’re trying to make our government profitable, shouldn’t we… at least not close a profitable agency?
A lot of bad things about this obviously, but I’ll point out that these programs were contributing fresh, local, nutritious food in settings where food is often frozen/packaged/highly processed. Seems contradictory to what I’m told are goals of the RFK led HHS.
The Agriculture Department has axed two programs that gave schools and food banks money to buy food from local farms and ranchers, halting more than $1 billion in federal spending.
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
USDA cancels $1B in local food purchasing for schools, food banks
States have been notified that they will not receive 2025 funding for schools to buy food from nearby farms.
www.politico.com
March 11, 2025 at 12:12 PM
A lot of bad things about this obviously, but I’ll point out that these programs were contributing fresh, local, nutritious food in settings where food is often frozen/packaged/highly processed. Seems contradictory to what I’m told are goals of the RFK led HHS.
In addition to all the points in this thread, new parents don’t have guaranteed leave in the US. If a parent only gets a few weeks to bond with their baby, you want them to spend one of those days in a government office?
Another ominous development: The Social Security Administration is no longer allowing parents in Maine to register newborns for SSNs at hospital after birth, is instead requiring them to visit a Social Security Office to register their children.
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/06/s...
www.pressherald.com/2025/03/06/s...
Social Security now requires Maine parents to visit an agency office to register newborns
The change — immediately criticized by pediatric health advocates — eliminates a program that allowed parents to fill out a form at the hospital to secure a Social Security number for their children.
www.pressherald.com
March 7, 2025 at 4:05 PM
In addition to all the points in this thread, new parents don’t have guaranteed leave in the US. If a parent only gets a few weeks to bond with their baby, you want them to spend one of those days in a government office?
Reposted by Alex Black Larcom PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
I have serious doubts of course about how good faith this EO is but it's worth emphasizing that, should the gov actually try to prioritize children's health and nutrition, in addition to other environmental exposures, theyre going to discover that America has failed for decades to fund such research
"the National Institutes of Health and other health-related research funded by the Federal Government should prioritize gold-standard research on the root causes of why Americans are getting sick"
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Establishing the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1.
www.whitehouse.gov
February 14, 2025 at 2:12 AM
I have serious doubts of course about how good faith this EO is but it's worth emphasizing that, should the gov actually try to prioritize children's health and nutrition, in addition to other environmental exposures, theyre going to discover that America has failed for decades to fund such research
If this place has pinned tweets, then here’is mine for the foreseeable:
- Raw milk is NOT a good idea, is not superior to pasteurized milk
- Vaccines ARE a good idea
- Seed oils did not, nor has any other single food/nutrient, caused obesity and chronic disease rates
Stay healthy out there.
- Raw milk is NOT a good idea, is not superior to pasteurized milk
- Vaccines ARE a good idea
- Seed oils did not, nor has any other single food/nutrient, caused obesity and chronic disease rates
Stay healthy out there.
February 13, 2025 at 11:49 PM
If this place has pinned tweets, then here’is mine for the foreseeable:
- Raw milk is NOT a good idea, is not superior to pasteurized milk
- Vaccines ARE a good idea
- Seed oils did not, nor has any other single food/nutrient, caused obesity and chronic disease rates
Stay healthy out there.
- Raw milk is NOT a good idea, is not superior to pasteurized milk
- Vaccines ARE a good idea
- Seed oils did not, nor has any other single food/nutrient, caused obesity and chronic disease rates
Stay healthy out there.